Oarlock



Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES EUGENESISSON, or HUDSON, .ivnw Yoax.

OARLOGK Application filed July 5, 1929. Serial na'azaiu.

The present invention relates to improvements in oar locks, and has for its particular object to provide a simple and inexpensive article by which an oar can be securely conil nected with a boat without interfering in any manner with free, proper manipulation of the oar.

One of the objections to devices for the same purpose, heretofore proposed, has been 19 that the oar could turn about a lengthwise axis in the member by which it was supported from the boat. In operating row boats for fishing and so forth, it is very important that the cars be instantly available without requiring attention of the oarsman to see that the blades are properly positioned for use. When it is possible for the oar to turn in its support, it is, of course, necessary that the same be adjusted prior to each operation thereof.

Among the objects of the present invention, is to insure that the oar blades will be constantly maintained in a perpendicular position and, therefore, the rower is not required to give any attention to the matter of positioning the oars prior to using them.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of an oar lock constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the same applied to an oar.

Figure 2 is a view substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawing, in both views of which like parts are designated by the same reference characters, it will be seen that the improved oar lock includes a standard of well known or common form consisting of a shank 1 having at its end a fork 2. The shank of the standard is designed to be positioned in a socket or aperture of the usual type provided on a boat and, at its lower end, is shown as having an eye 3 through which a suitable securing means to prevent accidental disconnection of the standard and boat may be passed.

Within the fork at the upper end of the supporting standard is arranged a sleeve which closely embraces the body of an oar 5.

As shown, this sleeve is formed of two counterpart sections 6 each having a concave portionwhich will conform to' the surface of the-oar, and having both its longitudinal edges deflected or bent outward to provide flanges 7, 8. P The parts of the sleeve are of such dimensions that when'they are positioned about an oar, they will snugly grip the same, and the flanges thereon will abut so that when these flanges are suitably connected, the sleeve is immovably secured to the oar.

As shown, the abutting flanges are connected by screws 9 and nuts 10.

The oar and surrounding sleeve are supported in trunnion-like bearings in the fork of the standard in the Well known manner. As shown, the trunnion bearings are provided by screws 12, which extend through suitable eyes in the arms of the standard fork and engage the cylinder members. Lock nuts 14 are provided for retaining the trun- V nion screws in adjusted position.

As shown, each sleeve member 6 is provided with a very slight boss 15 having a recess 16 against which the ends of the trunnion screws 12 bear.

As before noted, an important feature of the present invention is that the sleeve engages the oar so closely and tightly, that relative movement between them is impossible. The sleeve is applied to the oar so that when the latter is placed in position in the fork of" the standard, the rib forming flanges of the sleeve member will be in substantial alignment with the edges of the oar blade and arranged vertically. The entire device may be detached from the boat with an oar or, if

preferred, the standard may be a permanent part of the boat and the trunnion screws loosened to permit the sleeve to be removed with the oar.

It will be seen that the entire structure is a very simple and durable one which can be inexpensively manufactured and, by means of which, the oar is not only strengthened but any change in the position of it. relative to the oar lock, which would remove the blade from a vertical position, is avoided. The length of the sleeve, it will be noted, is such as to enclose a substantial part of the oar, and it projects at both ends to a consider my hand.

able extent beyond the fork of the standard in which it is mounted.

I claim:

An oar lock comprising a standard terminating at its upper end in forked arms, said arms provided with aligned threaded openings, an elongated sectional sleeve of noncircular cross section arranged to be detachably mounted between said arms, the sections of said sleeve having vertically disposed out wardly extending abutting flanges,'means extending transversely through said flanges for clamping the sections to an oar, the outer surface of each section adjacent the openings in the forked arms having an outwardly bulged portion provided with a recess, screws extending through the openings in said arms and engaging the recessesto permit rocking movement of the sleeve and its ready removal from the standard, and means for locking the screws in a predetermined position.

I In testimony whereof I have hereunto set EUGENE sIssoN, 

